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    From Beyond The Grave
    From Beyond The Grave
    From Beyond The Grave
    Ebook85 pages1 hour

    From Beyond The Grave

    By Ellie Oberth

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    About this ebook

    Carl Danby returns to tackle another unusual case.
    During a séance, a psychic claims the late Samuel Bittner has accused his family of murder. Concerned for the psychic’s well-being, her husband hires the Hudson Detective Agency to investigate.
    Danby hits the streets with his tag-along sidekick, Junior. Samuel’s doctor reports death by natural causes—a fatal heart attack. With no body to autopsy, Danby relies on his best skill—talking. As they search for proof that a murder has indeed taken place, they run across a useful ally—an extremely observant funeral director.
    Tension increases as Samuel’s relatives refuse to believe the psychic’s claim, insisting the patriarch died of natural causes. With little physical evidence to process, will the veteran detective ever discover the truth?
    This story is 18,444 words with additional material at the end of the book.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherEllie Oberth
    Release dateAug 29, 2014
    ISBN9781310769849
    From Beyond The Grave
    Author

    Ellie Oberth

    A Chicago resident, Ellie Oberth’s love of mysteries began at an early age with an introduction to the works of Agatha Christie.She’s a life-long member of Sisters-In-Crime National and also a member of the Chicagoland Chapter where she served as Secretary in 2009 and served as Treasurer from 2010-2011 and 2017-2019..These days, when she’s not busy writing, she’s travelling. Ellie pops up in the most unusual places. She’s been known to scour the beach at midnight with a flashlight, looking for a place to bury the body or tramping through the deserted woods with the same goal in mind or...For more current activities, visit her blog at www.ellieoberth.blogspot.com

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      Book preview

      From Beyond The Grave - Ellie Oberth

      FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE

      From the Case Files of the Hudson Detective Agency

      Case #2

      A Danby Mystery

      Copyright 2014 by Ellie Oberth

      Smashwords Edition

      http://www.ellieoberth.blogspot.com

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with more than one person, please purchase additional copies for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

      * * * * *

      Dedication

      * * * * *

      To my bro-in-law, Bill

      Go Cubs!

      * * * * *

      Editor

      * * * * *

      Thanks to Diane Piron-Gelman

      Word Nerd Editorial Services

      * * * * *

      Cover

      * * * * *

      Cover Photo by Canva

      Cover Design by Ellie Oberth

      Excerpts are included at the end of the book

      FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE

      I arrive at the Agency a half hour earlier than usual, only to find the big boss himself, Paul Winstone III, pacing near my office. He isn’t pleased that I’ve kept him waiting. Tough. I had a restless night. The cat was so disgusted with my tossing and turning that she hopped off the bed sometime after midnight.

      Instead of sympathy or compassion due to the permanent damage I sustained to my knee chasing a bad guy, all I get are retirement hints. Recently the big boss assigned a snot-nosed recruit to follow me around. I’m supposed to train him, but I’m guessing Winstone hopes the rookie will report negative feedback so he can continue pressuring me to retire. He won’t fire me outright, since the guy who runs the entire international chain of detective agencies that we belong to is a big fan of mine.

      Winstone motions me into his office. He commands a premium corner office on the top floor of the Delaware Building. It overlooks the Daley Center which is a cornerstone of the downtown area. Built in the aftermath of the Chicago Fire, the Delaware Building stands eight stories tall and is a Chicago landmark.

      Tired from lack of sleep, I sit in silence waiting to hear what he wants. Paul Winstone the Third—or the Turd as I refer to him—turns from the window and addresses me.

      I’ve assigned a new case to you and Clark. The client hired us this morning.

      I glance at my watch. It’s barely past 7:30. The Agency is manned 24/7, so it must’ve been an early appointment.

      Our new client is Darryl Conroy. He’s hired us to bodyguard his wife, Jubilee Conroy.

      I don’t move a muscle, but he holds up a hand to stifle any protest.

      Obviously, you’re not capable of bodyguard duty with your leg and all.

      Here he pauses. Does he really think I’ll jump up and quit? The Turd never gives up hope that someday I’ll do just that.

      I’ve put Baker on the case in that regard, but I want you and Clark to handle the other…uh…aspect.

      I’ll admit I’m feeling somewhat intrigued, though I sure wish he’d get to the point.

      Mrs. Conroy has gotten some information about a crime that was committed…uh…a murder.

      His delivery is stilted. I sit back in the chair awaiting the punch line.

      The details are fuzzy. Her husband is positive the killer will strike again to eliminate Mrs. Conroy in order to shut her up.

      I wish he would shut up. What does the lady know about a murder? Whose murder?

      She’s a little shaky on the finer points. The situation is kind of tricky, but since you solved the Porter case, I figure it’ll be right up your alley. He stretches back in his chair and swivels to stare out the window.

      The only thing in my alley is trash cans, which fit in with the garbage he’s spewing right now. Clue me in. What’s so odd about all this? Why doesn’t Mrs. Conroy share with the police if she has inside info on a murder case?

      It’s tricky, Gramps.

      I hate that nickname, but it’s widespread throughout the Agency, so I try to ignore it. C’mon, Winstone, just spill it. You have to tell me anyway if you want me to investigate, so quit delaying. What’s…going…on?

      The big boss inhales deeply, then spills. Jubilee Conroy is a psychic. She had a séance last night for a roomful of people related to the late Samuel Bittner. Sit down! He barks the last two words.

      I’m not even aware that I’ve risen to my feet. Slowly, I lower myself back down.

      Mrs. Conroy channeled Samuel Bittner at the séance and the spirit claimed he was murdered by someone in that very room. No particulars yet as Bittner seemed confused at being on ‘the other side’.

      He actually does the finger quotes in the air thing.

      Naturally, Mr. Conroy is afraid of the repercussions. If the accusation is true, he believes his wife’s life is in danger.

      Boy, we’ll take anybody’s money. The Turd shoos me out of his office. Elmo Clark stands near the receptionist’s desk. The boy’s fashion sense eludes me. I’m guessing he’s going for stealth private eye with his all-black ensemble, baseball cap and cheap plastic watch. The new trainee straightens as I approach.

      Wow, Gramps. Wanda just filled me in on our new case. Pretty cool, huh?

      Wanda Gibbons is the Turd’s right-hand man. Big and blousy, she always tries to impress our agents with her importance. My eleven year-old niece, Annie, is into eye rolls—big time. I’ve caught the bad habit, so now I turn my head hoping Wanda won’t notice.

      Let’s go, Junior. I refuse to call

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